Joyful Birthing - Elisa Horinek, Birth Doula

03/06/2024

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07/03/2023

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Choices about birth can trigger some of the most discouraging comments and responses. Women, often speaking out of their own deep trauma, disappointment, or wounds, project that to others often without even realizing it.

Birth is incredibly intimate to who we are. It is a body and soul transformation designed by God as a uniquely feminine rite of passage into motherhood. That's why these topics of birth and motherhood in general are so very sensitive. It's not because they DON'T matter but because they DO, more than so many of the other choices we make. They touch some of the most intimate places of our womanhood.

"Mommy wars" are the result of caring deeply about our children and wanting to do the best by them but also the result of motherhood being so intrinsic to who we are. The claims that these things "don't matter" is often a defense mechanism against waking to the sobering reality that they actually very much do.

If you get these kinds of responses, it's helpful to remember that this is often about them, not about you. Step back, say a prayer for them, and try to let it go in one ear and out the other. Then take any necessary steps to protect yourself and your baby and surround yourself with those who are better able to encourage and support you in this journey.

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02/13/2023

02/11/2023

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It's often said that you need to birth where you feel safe.

Putting aside for a moment the interesting concept of safety, it’s very very true that how a woman feels during birth is very important. It can make a huge physiological difference in how her labor will progress, how straightforward it will be, how she will feel about it afterward, and yes, even play a role in how safe it actually is. The environment we choose for birth makes a big difference.

Feeling under threat, watched, cold, and more can interfere with what would otherwise be a normal straightforward healthy labor. Our bodies and motherly instincts are so wise! If we feel physical threat, just like other mammals, we will protect our babies the best we can and decide it's not a good time for birth. The adrenaline and cortisol, those physiological stress responses, will inhibit further oxytocin, thus "stalling" or stopping a labor completely.

But we're not just talking about physical safety here. We're complete human persons, not mere animals. This means our physiological response is more complex involving heart, mind, and soul as well. We need to feel physically safe, yes, but we also need (and deserve) to feel emotionally safe.

*The same things that would make sexual intimacy difficult, impossible, or even traumatic are often going to be the very same things that make physiological labor and birth more difficult, impossible, or even traumatic, too.*

So birth where you feel safe, yes.
But also birth where you feel
Respected
Heard
Honored
Unrushed
Comfortable
Known
Private
Warm
Uninhibited
Valued
Loved

You and your baby are worthy of a birth that offers all of that.

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09/28/2022

Some great research-backed information. Be informed, and ask your provider if fluids are necessary!

Everyone should have this information. 👇🏼
This way, if you choose to have IV fluids and or need them, newborn weight and loss/gain can account for this in the first weeks.
In 2011 a team of Canadian researchers published a study which linked routine IV fluids with excessive weight loss in newborns. The study concluded that it takes about 24 hours for babies to correct their fluid state and therefore a true birth weight should be done at 24 hours. Here's the issue with with weighing baby at birth with a mother who received IV fluids: those fluids not only over saturate the mother (throwing her into an electrolyte imbalance), but this same thing happens to baby!
So let's say you had the typical hospital birth..labored for 12 hours with fluids being pumped into you the entire time. Baby is born weighing 8lbs 8oz. You go to your 3 day postpartum checkup and baby is down to 7lbs 5oz! Well..thats over a whole pound lost. The provider you see suddenly encourages you to supplement with formula because your baby is losing too much weight. You wonder how could this be...youve been nursing round the clock, changed plenty of wet diapers. How could this happen? .
You spent months researching breastfeeding and all its benefits for it to come down to this?..and at only 3 days postpartum! You feel like you've failed, but you fear that your baby is starving. So what do you do? You supplement...with formula. Next your milk supply drops because you're not bringing baby to the breast, but rather to the bottle. Before you know it you have an exclusively formula fed baby. .
This scenario is SO common, and I believe receiving IV fluids in labor is a HUGE part of the problem. As if the obstetric community hasn't failed women enough..now their "harmless" interventions caused you to lose all confidence in your ability to feed & nourish your baby from your breasts. .
So what can you do???
1. STAY OUT OF THE SYSTEM!
2. Say NO to routine IV fluids
3. Bring this study to attention if this happens to you
4. Continue nursing your baby. Bring baby to breast as first solution when she cries
5. Nurse in demand NOT on schedule



Edited to add:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1948093/

References:
https://internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/1746-4358-6-9

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3174114/pdf/1746-4358-6-9.pdf

https://www.nfaap.org/sso/sso.aspx?nfredirect=https%3A%2F%2Fpediatrics.aappublications.org%2Fcontent%2F127%2F1%2Fe171.abstract%3Fsso%3D1%26sso_redirect_count%3D2%26nfstatus%3D401%26nftoken%3D00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000%26nfstatusdescription%3DERROR%253A%2520No%2520local%2520token&no-redirect

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine put this as well in one of its 2017 protocols.
https://abm.memberclicks.net/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/3-supplementation-protocol-english.pdf

https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2011/08/15/study-shows-link-between-maternal-iv-fluids-and-weight-loss-in-newborns/

Good info form evidence based birth.
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/iv-fluids-during-labor/

09/27/2022

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This is why I do what I do.

You, mother, are an image of the living God, a daughter of the Divine, a cooperator with the Creator of life.

It is through you that the God of the universe has chosen another Divine image be incarnated into the world - first hidden and intricately grown within your womb and when the time is full, born from your very body. The time should be one of awe, reverence, the utmost dignity and respect, a rite of raw beauty and power, deep mystery and feminine strength. This temple you have been given, where the Holy One has chosen to reside, has been divinely and intentionally designed, deserving of our deference and humility, supported and honored in its physiology and purpose.

We can, of course, walk away from that invitation, put down our power, think the hype unnecessary, even choose to have our strength stripped away from us. We can endure trauma and complication at the hands of others or because of the state of our fallen world or even our own choices.

Hear me well: NONE of that changes who you are and what you are worth.

Your birth does not define your worth but your birth should absolutely reflect your worth.

Your dignity, that of your baby, and reverence for God's design means there is no room for coercion, threats, force, empty promises, indifference, or fake science. Mockery, callousness, manipulation, efficiency, or downright lies should have no place. Usurping your divinely-ordained authority over your body or baby should repulse us not be routine.

It breaks my heart how many women just don't feel like they are worth protecting and fighting for.

No matter the conditions you are in, sister, God is ready and willing to be part of this time with you, to fight for you and be glorified in and through you. Explore that, cooperate with that, enter into that mysterious rite of birth, making choices that reflect its beauty and yours.

It - and YOU - are so worth it.

🤍🤍🤍

09/16/2022

Megan is fantastic local resource for pre and post-natal moms in NW KS! Megan is great to work with, has been through pregnancies and post partum recoveries herself, and will help you find healing and strength at a pace that’s doable for your stage in life!

Fitness is a very important part of a mamas physical and mental health! But before you lay that baby down for nap time and pick up those dumbells here are some of the DO’s of ConFITent Postnatal Fitness.

DO! Work with a Certified Post Natal Personal Trainer to help reassess your postnatal body and movement patterns.

Your trainer should be able to conduct an assessment which will provide you feed back on any muscular weaknesses and imbalances your body may have incurred during pregnancy.

This will help minimize the possibility of injuries once you get started (you certainly will want to avoid any set backs after taking the time off!). Your trainer should also be able to check you for Diastasis Recti.

DO! As soon as that sweet baby is born and you’re ready, start working on bringing a mind body connection back to the muscle groups that were weakened during pregnancy and/or the birth experience. The sooner you start reconnecting to your abdominal, pelvic floor, and in case of a C-Section those lower abdominals the sooner you’ll be able to build strength there even before you get into an exercise program.

DO! Drink plenty of water, fresh cold pressed juice, as well as consuming plenty of Whole Foods (fruit, veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, meats, fish). Whole Foods are very healing to the body, while fresh cold pressed juice is going to flood your system with vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that will help assist recovery!

DO! Once you’re ready to start moving - take it slow! Be gentle with your body. Start with a consistent walking program, body weight strength training for a few weeks and progress from there. Progressing too fast can take weakened muscles and really make a mess of them. You’re going to get to where you want to go - just make sure to be patient with the process.

DO! CUDDLE THAT BABY!!!!

I hope this is helpful for you mama’s that are are post natal as you approach getting back into your fitness routine! We here at Whole ConFITence are here to provide you the tools to ConFITently enter birth, recover, and Train ConFITent.

09/14/2022

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If you are in the depths of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, or even loss, may you experience the grace of recognizing the beauty and worth of your sacrifice.

You have an invitation to a very real *bodily* participation in the saving work of Christ. Saint Paul was clear that the Body of Christ was invited to participate in His work. Those called to physical motherhood can do so in a profound way.

These sacrifices are powerful, redemptive, sanctifying, and they can transform the world. As Jesus thought of each one of us during that agony and Passion, we too can think of specific people or intentions for whom we want to offer our work for, uniting it with His. Those prayers are POWERFUL, sisters. Don’t waste the opportunity.

We should remember the cross every day but in a special way the Church today remembers its VICTORY. It can be so hard to remember in the midst of our own Calvary that we are headed toward something glorious. We hopefully get a taste of that glory on earth as our baby enters the world but imagine how much more magnificent will these glories be in the light of eternity ✨

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09/10/2022

07/18/2022

👶 🥰

This post goes out to all the parents who struggled through mass today. Thank you for preaching such a beautiful and vital sermon. 💛

07/10/2022

Whether you lost your baby at 6 weeks.
Whether you lost your baby at 12 weeks.
Whether you lost your baby at 16 weeks.
Whether you lost your baby at 20 weeks.
Whether it is your first loss.
Whether it is your second loss.
Whether it is your third loss.
Whether it is your fourth loss.
Whether you have not had a child.
Whether you already have a child.
Whether you have two children.
Whether you have three children or more.
Whether you lost your baby in your teens.
Whether you lost your baby in your twenties.
Whether you lost your baby in your thirties.
Whether you lost your baby in your forties.
Whether you lost your baby through IVF.
Whether you lost your baby through unplanned pregnancy.
Whether you lost your baby through planned pregnancy.
Whether you lost your baby through surrogacy.
Your pregnancy loss matters.
Your grief matters.
Your tears matter.
You matter.

Shared with permission from Yvette Mystakas - She is Sacred
Artwork: Artist unknown

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07/09/2022